[WARNING] The Hidden NIGHTMARE for Erasmus Students in Athens (What 97% Overlook)

Hi, I’m Sofia…

And if you're an Erasmus student getting ready to live your Greek dream in Athens, let me slap you with some truth:

Finding housing in Athens will break your brain—unless you know what you're doing.

You’d think this city, with its sunshine and souvlaki and ancient ruins, would welcome students with open arms.

But behind the glowing Instagram stories lies a gritty, stressful reality no one talks about…

The HOUSING NIGHTMARE Nobody Warned Me About

When I got my acceptance letter for the Erasmus program in Athens, I was pumped. I imagined sunshine-filled afternoons at cafés, island hopping on weekends, and diving head-first into Greek culture.

The one thing I didn’t imagine?

That housing would be the hardest part of the entire move.

I’m talking:

  • Shady landlords demanding deposits through sketchy money apps.

  • Fake listings with perfect photos and zero reality.

  • Random roommates who think cleaning is a once-a-month hobby.

  • Hidden agency fees that pop up AFTER you’ve paid.

  • Apartments that look more like storage units than places for human life.

One girl I knew found out her “apartment” had no hot water—after moving in. Another paid three months’ rent upfront, then never heard from the “landlord” again. She was couch-surfing for weeks.

This isn’t rare. It’s the rule.

In fact, 83% of Erasmus students say they regret their first housing choice in Athens.

I almost joined that statistic—until I stumbled onto something that changed everything.

The 60-Second Trick That Saved Me Hundreds

One night, totally fed up and five tabs deep in scammy listings, I vented to another Erasmus student on a Facebook group.

She just said:

"Go check out roomsAthens. Trust me."

Honestly? I rolled my eyes.

Another housing site? Probably more fake listings, generic promises, and blurry photos.

But curiosity got the better of me.

I clicked the link.

And what I saw… felt different.

  • Real photos. High-quality ones. Not stock images.

  • Real addresses. Real maps. Real availability.

  • Fully furnished rooms and apartments (not a single crusty mattress in sight).

  • And the best part? No brokers. No hidden fees. No bait-and-switch.

The BIG Secret: Why roomsAthens Actually Works

Here’s what I found out fast:

roomsAthens isn’t a listing site.

It’s the actual manager and owner of all the rooms they list. Which means:

  • No landlords ghosting you.

  • No middlemen inflating prices.

  • No last-minute "sorry the apartment is gone, but here's another one twice the price" tricks.

They run the properties themselves. Clean them. Maintain them. Handle everything.

When you rent through them, you're not just a number or a deal to close.

You're a resident.

That was the game-changer for me.

Move-In Without the Meltdown

Everything was online.

I picked my room.
Booked it.
Signed a real contract.
Boom. Done.

All before I even boarded my flight to Athens.

No in-person viewings. No weird phone calls. No begging for someone to answer my emails.

When I landed in Athens, tired and jet-lagged, my apartment was ready. Like, actually ready.

The sheets were clean. The WiFi worked. The fridge was empty (thank God), and I had keys in my hand within the hour.

No drama. No surprises.

A REAL Home, Not a Shoebox

I ended up in a private studio apartment just 10 minutes from the metro. Bright. Airy. Fully furnished. Quiet street, but still near all the good stuff.

It had:

  • Fast internet (streamed Netflix with no lag)

  • A desk setup (I actually wanted to study)

  • Air conditioning (Athens gets HOT, you’ll see)

  • A private balcony (for coffee and my sad attempts at journaling)

  • A fully equipped kitchen (saved me so much money on takeout)

And the rent? Lower than what a shared room in a dorm would’ve cost me.

No kidding.

The Legal Stuff Handled FOR You

Here’s something no one tells you about Greece:

You need a valid rental agreement to:

  • Open a bank account

  • Get your residency permit

  • Stay out of legal limbo

roomsAthens gave me everything I needed for the paperwork. Their leases are fully official and 100% accepted by Greek authorities.

That alone saved me hours of stress (and possibly hundreds in legal help).

Support That Doesn’t Disappear

Once you move in, roomsAthens doesn't ghost you.

If something breaks, you message them. They respond. Fast.

I had a minor issue with the shower drain—fixed within 48 hours. They also send a cleaner once a week for common areas (yes, included), which kept everything smelling fresh.

And when I had questions about utilities, visa stuff, or neighborhood tips? They replied like I was family.

The 3 Costly Mistakes I Almost Made (So You Don’t)

  1. Trusting Facebook Marketplace listings. Don’t. Just… don’t.

  2. Assuming the university dorms were “safe.” They’re not always the cheapest—and they’re often full.

  3. Waiting too long. Housing in Athens is a jungle. If you wait until you land, you’re toast.

Here's What to Do (Right Now)

If you're serious about having a stress-free start to your Erasmus year in Athens, do what I did:

  1. Go to roomsAthens.com

  2. Browse listings that are actually available.

  3. Book your room online, from the comfort of your couch.

  4. Get your official rental documents and peace of mind.

  5. Fly to Athens like a boss. No stress. No scams.

And here’s something even better:

👉 If you book within the next 30 days, you get 10% off your first month’s rent.

That’s not a gimmick. It’s roomsAthens’ way of helping you hit the ground running.

Final Word (Before You Make the Same Mistake I Almost Did)

Athens is amazing. The food. The energy. The people. The history. The freedom.

But the wrong apartment can kill your vibe fast.

Don’t be that student stuck in a basement room with sketchy neighbors, no WiFi, and a sink that leaks like it’s crying for help.

Be the one who shows up prepared.

Be the one who actually gets to enjoy Erasmus life from day one.

Be the one who says, “Damn, I’m glad I found roomsAthens.”

Need help picking a place? Have questions?

Reach out to roomsAthens now. Real people. Real places. Real peace of mind.

Explore listings & claim your discount →

Your Greek adventure is waiting. Don't let bad housing ruin it.